"Imagine a complex, multi-cultural society that annually holds an elaborate winter festival, one that lasts not simply a few days, but several weeks. This great festival celebrates the birth of the Lord and Saviour of the world, the prince of peace, a man who is divine. People mark the festival with great abundance- feasting, drinking and gift giving....." (Richard Horsley- The Liberation of Christmas)
The passage goes on, recounting the decorations that are hung, and the songs and dances that accompany the festival, how the economy booms and philanthropic acts abound....
But this is not Christmas- this is a Roman festival in celebration of the Emperor....This is the world that Jesus was born into! The world where the early Christians would ask "Who is your Saviour the Emperor or Christ?"
And yet our shops and stores and often our lives are caught up in a world that looks very much like the one of ancient Rome, where we worship at the shrine of consumerism....
Advent on the other hand calls us into the darkness, a time of quiet preparation, a time of waiting, and re-discovering the wonder of the knowledge that God is with us. Advent's call is to simplicity and not abundance, a time when we wait for glorious light of God to come again...
Christ is with us at this time of advent, in the darkness, and Christ is coming with his light- not the light of the shopping centre, but the light of love and truth and beauty.
What do you long for this advent? What are your hopes and dreams for the future? What is your prayer today?
In the vein of simplicity I ask you to list five advent longings....
In this time of waiting
for the coming of the Saviour
For what do I long?
In this time of waiting
for the coming of the Saviour
For what do I long?
- For a world where justice and peace are rampant
- For every child to be born in a context of love and concern
- For meaningful connections with family and friends across seas and continents
- To be in touch with nature; to feel the sand between my toes and the wind on my face
- To eat well and share abundantly; and know this experience is universal
4 comments:
Great list. I especially like #2.
Yes, what a good list. I like #2 and also #5 (the others are good too but more commonly wished for by us ReVGalBlogPals).
Amen and amen Mavis- glad you played!
Thanks friends for your visits. May Advent be blessed for you all.
Post a Comment